Biography

American actor, named one of the nation’s ten favorite actors who has earned his place in Hollywood through consistent excellence. When he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the film "Glory," 1989, he became the fifth black American to win an Academy Award. On 3/25/2002, he was given a rousing ovation for winning the Oscar as Best Actor for his role in "Training Day."

Onscreen from 1980 in "Carbon Copy," Denzel first caught the public eye as a doctor on TV's "St. Elsewhere" in the early '80s. He became a star with films that included "Cry Freedom," "Glory," "Malcolm X," and "The Pelican Brief." With an acting style that is simple and powerful, his work in "The Hurricane" 1999, was highly acclaimed, bringing in a Best Actor nomination.

Washington is the son of a Pentecostal minister and a mom who owns a beauty shop, the second of three kids. He and older sister Lorice and young brother David were brought up in a disciplined home where they were taught solid values and interaction in civic activities. Their neighborhood was a cross mixture of races and cultures. By age 12, Denzel was handling part-time jobs. At 14, his parents divorced, so devastating to the boy that he became rebellious and difficult. His mom sent him to Oakland Academy, a private prep school. Denzel thrived on the discipline and competition, excelling in sports and playing piano on the side in a local black band. In 1972, he studied journalism at Fordham University, holding jobs to help expenses while winning raves as a student thespian. He was inspired by his breakthrough title role in "Malcolm X," an off-Broadway play. In 1977, he made his first TV movie, "Wilma," where he first met Pauletta Pearson.

He took classical acting classes at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater but dropped out in a year and headed to Los Angeles with great assurance, but found that doors were not open for him. He moved back to his mother's house in Mount Vernon where he and Pauletta began to see each other; they married in 1983.

It was she who supported and encouraged Denzel during the lean years. Getting some minor roles, he took a job at an urban recreation-center. One week before reporting for work, he landed a stage role. His two first good performances with the Negro Theatre Ensemble earned him honors and led his career to an upward turn.

Washington did other work for television, but turned down movie offers that would have required him to play such roles such as a pimp or druggie. He accepted an offer to play a doctor in the television program "St. Elsewhere" as he believed that the part would cast him as a positive role model for young blacks. During the series' full run, from 1982 to 1986, he played the Yale-educated Phillip Chandler. His film roles during that time began to increase in stature and recognition. Immersing himself in a role, he studied the movement and voice of his character, even gaining or losing weight or changing his hairstyle. Quoted in his biography, "Denzel Washington," he said of his role in "Glory," it was difficult to break myself down and become a primitive man; that was the challenge of this part."

In 1992, Washington and Lee collaborated as actor and director for the powerful movie "Malcolm X." His extraordinary performance in this stirring movie earned him the Academy Award's nomination for Best Actor, the NAACP Image Award for Best Actor, and the Berlin Film Festival's Award. The film was named the best picture for 1992, a plus for Spike Lee and Denzel Washington. In addition, Washington won the New York Film Critic's Circle Award, Best Actor; the Boston Society of Film Critic's Award, Best Actor; and Chicago Film Critic's Award, Best Actor.

Washington found himself busy and booked by 1993 with "Much Ado About Nothing," "The Pelican Brief," and "Philadelphia." In 1995 he played in "Crimson Tide," and "Devil in a Blue Dress." "The Preacher’s Wife" followed in 1996. He turned down a role in Amistad, telling USA Weekend, "I ain't putting no chains around my neck. I'm not in the mood." He did accept a role in both Gregory Hoblit's "Fallen" and Spike Lee's "He Got Game." By then, he was booked for roles through the year 2000.

He and Pauletta have four kids, John David, Katia and twins Malcolm and Olivia. A strong family man, he coaches the football team of his son and basketball team of his daughter and the family observes holiday traditions in their Beverly Hills home. He likes to be seen with his handsome family to counter the stereotype of one-parent black families.

Tall, handsome, unassuming and gentlemanly in manner, Washington always seems to have a core of calm. Even when his films have bombed, he has usually been seen as the bright spot in all of them. A consummate actor and professional, he is a performer whom others like to work with - his reputation preceding him. At the same time, he remembers his early training to give back to the community. He works with the Boys and Girls Club and does commercials for the national organization. He has given generously $1 million to the Children's Fund of South Africa and $2.5 million to his church, the Church of God in Los Angeles. In 1997 he won the Whitney M. Young Award from the Los Angeles Urban League for outstanding community activities, especially with youngsters.